
Tanzania Safari – Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngorongoro
Duration
8 Days
Destination
Tanzania
Style
Tailor-Made
Best For
Wildlife & Adventure
Women-Led · Custom-Made Luxury Safaris · Exclusive African Wilderness Escapes
Overview
Tanzania's complete northern circuit spans three distinct ecosystems: baobab-studded Tarangire, the vast Serengeti and the awe-inspiring Ngorongoro Crater. At $180 per person per day in the Serengeti (versus $200 in Kenya's Maasai Mara), this itinerary delivers exceptional wildlife diversity at outstanding value, without a single compromise on the classic East Africa experience.
Trip Highlights
Elephant herds among giant baobab trees in Tarangire
Two full game-drive days in the Great Serengeti
Game drive inside the world's largest intact caldera, Ngorongoro
All Big Five across three distinct ecosystems
Scenic NCA highlands crossing between Serengeti and Ngorongoro
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1Arusha – Tarangire National Park (approx. 2.5–3 hrs)
Your guide collects you from your Arusha hotel or Kilimanjaro International Airport in the morning. Drive southwest to Tarangire, with a short introductory game drive on the way to the lodge for check-in and lunch. Rest and then enjoy an afternoon game drive from 3–4 p.m. Tarangire National Park is famous for its enormous elephant herds, the largest in Tanzania, and its iconic baobab trees.
Day 2Tarangire – Full Day
Morning and afternoon game drives in Tarangire, or a full-day drive with a picnic lunch in the bush. The Tarangire River is a lifeline in the dry season, drawing large concentrations of elephant, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, lion and leopard. Baobab-dotted hills and the serpentine river create one of Africa's most scenic safari backdrops. Tarangire is a less crowded alternative to the Serengeti, making it a prized stop for serious wildlife photographers.
Day 3Tarangire – Central Serengeti via Ndutu/NCA (approx. 5–6 hrs)
After breakfast, check out with packed picnic lunches and drive northwest toward the Serengeti. The route passes through Lake Manyara's agricultural highlands and then climbs into the Ngorongoro Conservation Area before descending into the Ndutu plain: the calving grounds of the wildebeest. Enter the Serengeti at Naabi Hill Gate and proceed to the central Seronera region. Evening game drive as you settle into camp.
Day 4Serengeti – Full Day
A full day in the heart of the Serengeti: home to Africa's Big Five and a staggering 1.5 million wildebeest during the Great Migration. Full-day game drives with a picnic lunch. Morning drives often reveal predators returning from a night hunt; evening drives catch them heading out. Optional: hot air balloon safari at sunrise, Maasai village visit, bush breakfast.
Day 5Serengeti – Full Day
Another unhurried day in the Serengeti. Venture toward the western corridor or the Moru Kopjes where lions frequently rest in the rocky outcrops. Cheetah sightings are common on the open plains. Explore different areas with your expert guide to maximise wildlife encounters. Optional sundowner on the savannah at dusk.
Day 6Serengeti – Ngorongoro Crater Rim (approx. 3–4 hrs via NCA)
After breakfast, check out and drive east through the NCA highlands to the Ngorongoro crater rim. Arrive by mid-afternoon. Check in and enjoy a short introductory game drive along the rim road with views into the vast caldera below. Dinner at the lodge with views over the crater.
Day 7Ngorongoro Crater – Full Day, then Transfer to Tarangire (approx. 3 hrs)
Descend into the crater after breakfast with packed picnic lunch boxes for a full day tour of the caldera floor. Drive among the crater's dense wildlife: lion prides, elephant bulls, flamingos in the soda lake, and rare black rhino. After a picnic lunch at the in-crater picnic site, ascend and drive east to Tarangire for a final overnight.
Day 8Tarangire – Arusha – Departure
Morning at leisure or an optional early morning walk with a ranger before driving to Arusha. Drop-off at your Arusha hotel or Kilimanjaro International Airport. End of services.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included
- All accommodation on a Full Board basis (as specified)
- All game drives in a 4×4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof
- Expert English-speaking guide and driver
- All national park and reserve entry fees
- Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
- Mineral water during all game drives
- Flying Doctors emergency evacuation cover
Not Included
- International flights and any domestic or regional flights not expressly listed as included in your confirmed quote
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Tanzania visa or entry-permission fees, where required for your passport
- Tips and gratuities for guides and lodge staff
- Alcoholic and premium beverages
- Personal items (laundry, telephone calls, souvenirs)
- Optional balloon flight in the Serengeti, booked and priced separately; other activities not listed as included
- Any costs arising from flight delays or itinerary changes
- Meals outside the meal plan stated for each day of this itinerary
- Mainland Tanzania government inbound travel insurance, where required: US$44 per adult, US$22 per child aged 3–17, with ages 0–2 free. Purchase separately before travel; not included in the safari price.
Good to Know
- Road times allow for normal conditions, but traffic, park tracks and stops can add time. Check any same-day onward flight with us before booking.
- Ngorongoro's highlands can be cold before sunrise. Pack a warm layer alongside sun protection for the plains.
- Early starts make the most of cooler hours. Bring sun protection, binoculars and comfortable shoes; share any mobility or dietary needs before travel.
- Arrange the applicable government inbound insurance through NIC for your mainland Tanzania arrival. Check eligibility and exemptions in the insurance guide below; personal travel insurance is separate.
Book This Safari
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What Our Clients Say
Rated 5 stars on TripAdvisor by travellers from across the world.
An excellent trip to parts of Kenya that are not on the main tourist routes, northern Kenya. Everything went smoothly Victor and Abdi, took care of everything. The choice of accommodation provided a great range of experiences. I would recommend Saringi to anyone.
read moreGot to see lots of animals and the experience was out of this world .
read moreI had an absolutely wonderful time in Kenya, all thanks to Millcent / Saringi Travel. From the incredibly friendly and reliable communication, to the flexible and thoughtful travel planning, all the way to the outstanding care on the ground, everything was simply perfect. I always felt well taken care of and in the best hands. What impressed me most was not only their professionalism, but also the sheer beauty of the entire experience. I'm still completely in awe! Thank you Millcent and thank you Letaloi!!!
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